You’re a mom. So, really, you’re the caterer, the cleaner, the taxi driver, the tutor, the referee, the nurse, and the guidance counselor (or as my husband calls it — the reality facilitator). These are all the amazing things your kids see in you everyday.

However, one of the most enjoyable things I've discovered about having kids is surprising them at the most unexpected times. Those are the magic moments I get to connect with my inner child and truly play with my children. In the spirit of celebrating the playfulness in all of us, here are a few of my favorite ways to surprise the kids.

1. Surprise Adventure

In my house, I’m famous for the surprise adventure. I do it for both my kids and my husband. A few of my favorite ways to surprise them? Sometimes I’ll pick them up from school and take them to the airport for an impromptu trip. Or I’ll tell them we’re going out for breakfast and instead drive them to a theme park. It’s amazing how good I’ve become at being vague without raising any alarm bells. From kayaking to horseback riding, the joy never fails when they figure it out. For our family, these surprises make the memories of a lifetime.

2. Become a Sous Chef

My kids love to cook, and I’m more than happy to leave it up to them. They look at the ingredients we have in the house and decide what to make. I’m then their humble assistant where they tell me what to do. All the way from prepping plates to slicing and dicing, they’re in charge and beaming with pride when they bring the plates to the table. I’ve come to expect hamburgers, but they’re made with love!

Written by Phoebe Hayman, CEO and Co-founder of Seedling. She's an artist, mom of two boys, and an avid reader.

At Seedling, we believe in the limitless potential of children's imaginations. Our company was born from a desire to create products that inspire the next generation of change-makers by fostering creativity, individuality, and fun.

We like to say, “No rules. Just play.”

Anything but ordinary, Seedling's beautiful range of award-winning children's products, toys, and gifts inspire kids to follow their own creative initiative through open-ended play. From fashion and art to design and tech, our collection is inspiring, innovative, and offers a fresh twist on nostalgic classics that are guaranteed to delight.